B1G Game 5: Gophers host Rutgers (1-8-25)

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Ignatius L Hoops

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Last season Rutgers finished dead last in the Big Ten with a 2-16 record. And one of those wins came during February in Piscataway against the Golden Gophers. Rutgers prevailed 81-73 behind a career high 25 points in 40 minutes from 5’9” guard Mya Petticord. She was aided by the reliable, if foul prone, 6’3” Destiny Adams who tossed in 21 points. Minnesota was led by Grace Grocholski with 23 points on 7-12 shooting from three. Sophie Hart chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds.

A couple of weeks later the Gophers exacted some revenge in the Big Ten tournament closing out the Scarlet Knights 77-69 with Amaya Battle leading the way with 32 points and 7 assists. Rutgers’ Destiny Adams responded with 31 points and 24 rebounds.

This season, despite the transfer of junior guard Kaylene Smikle to Maryland (where she’s the Terps leading scorer), better results were expected from the Scarlet Knights. It’s been a rough start with four consecutive conference losses to: @ Wisconsin 64-66, Ohio State 63-77, @Maryland 61-78 and Southern California 42-92.

The collapse against USC came after Rutgers’ most intriguing player, freshman Kiyomi McMiller, was suspended-presumably for one game. Many of us were looking forward to a freshman show down in Williams Arena on Wednesday night. So, with the uncertainty, I’ll keep this preview short.

Rutgers starters (B1G stats):

Destiny Adams is a 6’3” senior swing player averaging 19.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in 32.8 minutes. She played her first two years at North Carolina.

Kiyomi McMiller is a 5’8” freshman averaging 16 points and 5.3 rebounds in 28.7 minutes

Jo Jo Lacey is a foul prone 6’1” graduate forward averaging 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 30.3 minutes. She transferred in from Boston College.

Zachara Perkins is a 6’3” freshman forward averaging 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 25.5 minutes.

Lisa Thompson is a 5’9” sophomore guard averaging 2.8 points and .8 rebounds in 20.8 minutes.

Others:

Chyna Cornwell is a 6’3” graduate averaging 4.5 points and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes.

Mya Petticord is a 5’9” junior guard averaging 2.3 points and 1 rebound in 20;3 minutes.



What we may see:

Kiyomi McMiller: Rutgers’ new basketball phenom | FOX 5 New York
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“It was shocking,” Leonard Ellerbe, who was announced as part of McMiller’s “executive team” in a November press release, said in a phone call from Las Vegas on Sunday night. “In my opinion, this should have been handled in an entirely different matter, and I think this is embarrassing to the entire program.”

Ellerbe, a veteran sports business executive who is the former CEO of boxing legend Floyd Mayweather’s promotional company, refused to say what led to the player’s suspension. Two people with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media that the discipline came after a locker-room altercation with a teammate following a recent game.
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I think this young lady has forgotten that she needs to follow the team rules and keep herself on the basketball court, and that the coach has the last say in these types of decisions. She may call herself “the Product”, but the Coach is “the Boss” and the court is “the Factory”. And The Boss makes the decisions about which Products are produced in The Factory and sold to the public…
 



Gophers are in 5th place in the Big 18; i.e., Big Ten. They have really tough games ahead but have some doable games in-between so hopefully, they can avoid a big skid.
 



BBJones said:
A player who calls herself "the Product" with an "executive team" led by a former boxing promoter? Gee, whatever could go wrong?
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Yeah, coaches have to put up with a lot these days but after reading the MNS article I would say she and her "executive team" are making her toxic to a lot of people. I'm sure that when she leaves someone will take her but there are a lot of good programs that will steer clear.
 
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walleye said:
Gophers are in 5th place in the Big 18; i.e., Big Ten. They have really tough games ahead but have some doable games in-between so hopefully, they can avoid a big skid.
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Agree. If we can somehow come away with wins against Rutgers, Northwestern, Michigan at home (even though I think that will be tough) and Wisconsin that would give this team 7 wins before the tough part of the schedule hits. I think that would be a great accomplishment.
If they play well I can see them beating Oregon and Washington at home (will need to play good). Then you sneak another at Purdue and you're looking at a 10 win conference.
I know its a lot to ask for and I think a lot of it will count on if we get Mara back at some point. It's fun to be a fan!
 

BBJones said:
I don't think one has anything to do with the other. We're just fans, for Pete's sake.
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I don't quite understand it but some fans do use "we" meaning the "team" (even though us fans are not part of the team). Could be what's happening here?
 



thatjanelpick said:
I don't quite understand it but some fans do use "we" meaning the "team" (even though us fans are not part of the team). Could be what's happening here?
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I didn't mean to imply the team. Just don't want to dwell on Rutgers negative stuff too much, even though it is current events. Been impressed by the Gophers improvement in rebounding this year.
 

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